CHENNAI:
The lack of trade union for the workers of hotel industry was the major issue discussed at the workshop organised to empower the unorganised workers in the city on Saturday.

Speakers emphasised the importance of a trade union to put forth their problems to the management and the government. About 30 unorganised workers from hotel industry learnt about several issues related to their profession at the workshop on leadership and personality development.

Organised by the Peace Trust, a non-government organisation, the workshop aimed at enlightening the workers about leadership building and labour laws and enable them to deal with problems in workplace.

Inaugurating the workshop, M. Subramanian, State secretary, Hindu Mazdoor Sabha State Unit, highlighted the problems faced by the workers such as minimum wages and long work hours.

S. Ramachandran, field researcher, Peace Trust, said most of the hotel employees worked in an unhygienic environment. "Most of them are migrants and have limited interaction beyond their workplace."

Besides about 20,000 hotels workers, nearly one lakh people work in tea stalls in the city.

The workshop aimed at sensitising the workers about their fundamental rights and conventions in International Labour Organisation.

The organisation also planned to conduct periodical meetings for the workers by forming small groups and facilitating discussions, Mr. Ramachandran added.

K. Balasubramaniam, executive director of the Indian Institute of Leather Products, spoke on customer relations.

The workers were also provided a detailed account about ethics at workplace, Labour and Welfare Acts and occupational hazards. The Peace Trust has been holding workshop for workers of export industry.